Flood warnings issued for B.C. rivers amid heavy rain, melting snow
The BC River Forecast Centre has issued flood warnings for three rivers in the province's Southern Interior as an atmospheric river continues to bring heavy rain to much of B.C.
The Coquihalla, Tulameen and Coldwater rivers have all "risen rapidly" on Sunday, according to the forecast centre.
Flows on the Tulameen and Coldwater rivers have been observed at "between a 20-year and 50-year return period" at some monitoring stations, the centre said.
On the Coquihalla River, the volume has reached approximately a 10-year flow.
"Temperatures have been rising, with temperatures in the 5 to 7C range being observed at automated snow weather stations across the region," the centre said in its statement.
"Snowmelt is being observed at mid-elevations and is expected to add additional runoff to rivers."
Flood watches were already in place for the Fraser River and its tributaries in the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon regions, as well as for the Chilliwack River in the Fraser Valley and the Englishman River on Vancouver Island.
Flood watches are issued when "river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull," and flood warnings are issued when levels "have exceeded bankfull" or will do so "imminently."
"The public is advised to stay clear of the fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks during the high-streamflow period," the forecast centre said.
The centre said rivers are expected to continue rising through Sunday as a result of the continued rainfall, before easing on Monday as the heaviest rain passes.
Much of the Lower Mainland and the Southern Interior is under rainfall warnings Sunday. By the time the storm ends on Monday, rainfall totals are expected to range from 100 to 150 millimetres across different parts of the Fraser Valley, according to Environment Canada.
However, as the rain dissipates, the wind could pick up across the South Coast.
"We have winds coming down both the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Strait of Georgia," said Philippe-Alain Bergeron, an Environment Canada meteorologist. "We’ve got westerly winds anywhere from 40 to 60 kilometres an hour for (Monday) afternoon."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.